Modified bowling game and apparatus therefor

ABSTRACT

A modified bowling game and apparatus for such game wherein a projectile is directed toward a plurality of horizontally spaced targets arranged in a predetermined pattern and each target bears indicia indicative of the number of points the player receives if such target is struck by a tossed projectile; each target being relatively light in weight and generally in the configuration of one half a conventional bowling pin, and being supported on a slender, flexible rod having one end fixed to a base or support member in the form of a suction cup; and the projectile is made of rubber or rubber-like material and is formed to have ten faces, two of such faces being spaced and parallel and having a generally square form and the other eight faces having substantially isosceles trapezoidal forms.

United States Patent Saso MODIFIED BOWLING GAME AND APPARATUS THEREFORInventor: Martin P. Saso, 7S510 Route 83,

Clarendon Hill, 111. 60514 Filed: Apr. 24, 1974 Appl. No.: 463,664

Related US Application Data Substitute for Ser. No. 315,440, Dec. 15,1972, abandoned.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 273/82 R UX 273/82 R X LloydMankinen Kappel 273/95 R Abrahamson 273/58 K June 3, 1975 2,940,7566/1960 Rosenberger 273/41 Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle [5 7ABSTRACT A modified bowling game and apparatus for such game wherein aprojectile is directed toward a plurality of horizontally spaced targetsarranged in a predetermined pattern and each target bears indiciaindicative of the number of points the player receives if such target isstruck by a tossed projectile; each target being relatively light inweight and generally in the configuration of one half a conventionalbowling pin, and being supported on a slender, flexible rod having oneend fixed to a base or support member in the form of a suction cup; andthe projectile is made of rubber or rubber-like material and is formedto have ten faces, two of such faces being spaced and parallel andhaving a generally square form and the other eight faces havingsubstantially isosceles trapezoidal forms.

6 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures MODIFIED BOWLING GAME AND APPARATUS THEREFORBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a novel bowlinggame and. more particularly, to unique apparatus or equipment forplaying the game.

In recent years, people are having more and more lei sure time availablefor recreational purposes. The average work week for most workers in theUnited States is much shorter today than it was twenty years ago. Thisabundance of leisure time is partially evidenced in the homes beingbuilt in recent years. The majority of homes being built today aredesigned to include areas, both indoor and outdoor, peculiarly adaptablefor the partaking of recreational activities including the playing ofgames and the like. It is also vogue to alter and modify older homes toprovide the same or similar recreational areas.

Many of the indoor recreational areas are equipped with apparatus forplaying table tennis. shuffle board, and billiards. Obviously, in orderto play such games it is necessary to provide a table, as in the case oftable tennis and billiards, or a permanent playing surface area, as inthe case of shuffleboard. Thus, certain portions of the availablerecreational area must be set aside to specifically accommodate suchgame tables and playing surfaces and generally such recreational areaportions are incapable of being used for any other recreational purpose.

The apparatuses of many other games suitable for playing indoors as wellas outdoors disclosed in the prior art each usually includes a playingsurface in the form of a game board, table or the like which must beerected and assembled before the game can be played and, obviously,provisions must be made to store the same when not in use. Moreover,because of the nature of construction of the game equipment played toplay certain games and the materials of which the game pieces are made,many games can only be played indoors while others can only be playedoutdoors.

SUMMARY OF THE lNVENTlON Accordingly. it is a primary objective of thepresent invention to provide an amusement game capable of being playedeither indoors or outdoors and apparatus for playing the game whichsubstantially obviates the foregoing shortcomings inherent in prior artgames and of the equipment necessary to play such games.

Briefly, the present invention contemplates the provision ofa bowlinggame wherein a projectile is manually propelled toward a plurality oftargets arranged in a predetermined pattern from a prescribed distancefrom the targets. Each of the targets bears indicia indicative of thenumber of points the player receives if such target is struck by theprojectile. Preferably, the game apparatus includes three projectilesmade of rubber or other material having the same or similar resilientcharacteristics of rubber. Each projectile is formed to have l0 flatfaces, two of such faces being spaced approximately twelve inches apartand parallel with respect to each other and having a generally squareform. The other eight flat faces have substantially isoscelestrapezoidal forms. The game apparatus also includes a plurality oftargets made of light weight plastic material. Each of the targets has aconfiguration generally in the form of one half of a conventionalbowling pin split along the longitudinal axis and bears a particularnumeral thereon indicative of the number of points the player receivesif such target is struck by a projectile when tossed by the player. Thetargets are each supported on the uppermost end section of an elongated,relatively slender and flexible rod. The lower-most end of each targetsupport rod in turn is fixed to an enlarged base or support memberhaving an inverted cup-shaped lowermost portion. The support members aremade of rubber or rubber-like material whereby the relatively thin walldefining the cup-shaped portion of each support member being resilientand deformable is capable of functioning as a suction cup for detachablysecuring the base or support member to a relatively smooth flat playingsurface.

The game apparatus consists of five targets and three projectiles.Preferably the targets are arranged in two horizontally spaced rows,there being three horizontally and laterally spaced targets in the firstor front row and two targets in the second or back row which arehorizontally staggered with respect to the targets in the front row. Thetargets in the front row, which are the easiest to hit by the playerbear the numerals l, 2, and 3, respectively, while the more difficulttargets to hit in the back row bear the numerals 4 and 5, respectively.The numeral on each target corresponds to game points and when aparticular target is hit by a projectile. the player tossing suchprojectile is given the point value of the numeral on the particulartarget struck. The game is played by having the players stand ten totwelve feet from the front row of targets and toss the projectilestoward the targets in an attempt to hit the same. In accordance with therules of the game the projectiles must first strike the playing surfaceone and then bounce into the targets to hit the same. Each player has anopportunity in turn to toss the three projectiles and his score isreached by totaling the point values of the targets struck during histurn at play. The player with the highest point value score is the gamewinner.

An object of the invention is to provide game apparatus for a modifiedbowling game which may be played either indoors or outdoors as long as arelatively flat and smooth playing surface appoximately four feet wideand fifteen feet long is available.

Another object is to provide targets and projectiles for a bowling gamewhich are substantially indestructible and are capable of being usedindefinitely.

A still further object is to provide a bowling game and targets for suchgame which may be quickly and easily set up or arranged in order to playthe game and which set up or arrangement does not require the use of anytools or the like to assemble the apparatus, the marring or permanentmarking of a playing surface area, or a particular playing surface areabe used solely for the playing of the game.

Still another object is to provide game apparatus for a modified bowlinggame which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture yet sturdy anddurable in construction and which, because of its compact nature,necessitates a relatively small storage space when not being used.

The foregoing and other important objects and desirable featuresinherent in an encompassed by the invention, together with many of thepurposes and uses thereof, will become readily apparent from a readingof the ensuing description in conjunction with the annexed drawings, inwhich:

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the gameapparatus embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of one of the targets and the meansfor supporting such target;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the target shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along line 4-4of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is also a horizontal sectional view taken substantially alongline 55 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of one of the projectiles of the gameapparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTIONReferring to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference charactersrepresent like elements throughout the various views. the game apparatusof the present invention includes five target assemblies, each of whichis indicated in its entirety by reference character 10, and three iden tically shaped and sized projectiles 11.

All of the ta rget assemblies 10 are identically constructed and eachincludes a target 12 attached to an elongated slender rod 13, which inturn, has its normally lowermost end connected to an enlarged base orsupport member designated generally by reference character 14. As bestillustrated in FIG. 2, the target has a configuration resembling onehalf a conventional bowling pin split along its longitudinal axis.Preferrably, the target 12 is made of relatively light weightnonmetallic material such as plastic or the like and is hollow. as bestshown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.

Referring to FIG. 5, it will be noted that the bottom of each target 12is defined by a generally semicircular wall 15 which is integrallyformed with the body of the target. The semi-circular wall 15 has agenerally semicircular notch or recess 16 formed therein which opensinto the exposed straight edge of the wall 15. The wall surface definingthe notch 16 extends slightly more than l80 so that the notch entranceor opening at the exposed straight edge of the wall 15 is slightlysmaller than the diameter of the notch 16.

Each target 12 additionally includes an intermediate clip 17 in the formof a relatively thin, flat strip made of the same non-metallic materialas the material of the target body. The strip is generally rectangularin shape and has its longitudinally spaced ends suitably secured to theinterior surface of the target body by means of adhesive or the like.The longitudinal exposed edge lies substantially in the same verticalplane as the straight, exposed edge of the bottom wall 15. The clip 17,like the bottom wall 15, is also provided with a notch 18 which issubstantially similar in size and configuration as the notch 16. It willbe appreciated that the notches 16 and 18 are substantially in verticalalignment when the target 12 is in its normally upright position.

The upper clip 19, structurally similar to the clip 17 but of shorterlength is secured to the interior wall of the target 12 adjacent to theuppermost end thereof. The upper clip 19 is provided with a notch 20,opening into the exposed edge of clip 19 in the same fashion thatnotches 18 and 16 open into the exposed edges of clip 17 and bottom wall15, respectively. Also, the

notch 20 of the upper clip 19 has a configuration substantially the sameas the notches 16 and 18 and all the notches are substantially invertical alignment when the target 12 is in its upright position.

The rod 13 of each target assembly 10 is preferrably made of metal andincludes a section 21 of approximately 20 inches in length and ofsubstantially uniform diameter throughout its length. The diameter ofthe rod section 21 is slightly larger than the diameter of the notches16, 18 and 20. The significance of this fact will be pointed outpresently.

The normally lowermost end of the rod section 2] is securely connectedto one end of a helically-wound spring section 22 which, in turn, hasits opposite or normally lower-most end rigidly fastened to a relativelyshort end section 23. From the foregoing, it will be appreciated thatthe entire rod section 21 is capable of flexing angularly with respectto the short end section 23 at and by virtue of the spring section 22.

The lowermost or free end portion of the short end section 23 is adaptedto be forced or pressed into the cylindrical recess 24 formed in agenerally cylindrical projection 25 of the base or support member 14.The diameter of the free end portion of the end section 23 is slightlylarger than the diameter of the recess 24. The base member 14, includingthe cylindrical projection 25, is preferably made of rubber, or othermaterial having similar physical properties of rubber. Consequently, thefree end of the short end section 23 is secured to the base member 14solely by friction.

The projection 25 is integrally formed with an enlarged invertedcupshaped portion 26, as best shown in FIG. 2. The cup-shaped portion 26is defined by a relatively thin wall 27 and, being made of rubber orrubber-like material is resilient and deformable. Consequently, thecup-shaped portion 26 is capable of functioning as a conventionalsuction cup for detachably securing the base or support member 14 to arelatively smooth and flat surface by vacuum alone.

The projectiles 11 employed to play the modified bowling game of thepresent invention are made of sponge rubber or the like so as to beresilient and capable of bouncing when thrown against a plane surface.As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6, each projectile 11 is formed to have 10plane faces, two of the faces 28 are substantially square in shape whenviewed in plan. The square faces 28 are parallel with respect to eachother and are spaced approximately twelve inches apart. Each of theother outer faces 29 of each projectile 11 are substantially in theshape of an isosceles trapezoid, when viewed in plan, and with theshorter of the parallel edges or sides of such isosceles trapezoidalfaces 29 having the same length as the edges or sides defining thesquare faces 28.

As pointed out herebefore, the game apparatus of the present inventioncomprises five target assemblies 10 and three projectiles 11. In orderto play the modified bowling game, the components of each of the fivetarget assemblies 10 are removed from storage and assembled if thetarget assemblies 10 are stored in their disassembled state. Thelowermost end 23 of each rod 13 is forcibly inserted into the recess 24of a respective one of the base or support members 14. A respective oneof the bowling pin-shaped targets 12 is then attached to the rod 13 bycausing the rod section 21 thereof to be forcibly pressed into each ofthe notches 16, 18 and 20 of such target. The uppermost terminal end ofthe rod is positioned in abutting engagement with the underside of thewall portion defining the top end of the tar get 12, as shown in FIG. 3,so as to prevent the target 12 from sliding down the rod section 21while the game is being played.

Preferably, the five target assemblies are arranged in two horizontallyspaced rows. The front or row closest to the area where the playerstands to toss the projectiles 11 toward the targets 12 in an attempt tostrike the same consists of three target assemblies 10 horizontally andlaterally spaced with respect to each other and the back or second rowconsists of the remaining two target assemblies 10 which are staggeredwith respect to the target assemblies 10 of the front row, as shown inFIG. 1. Each of the target assemblies 10 is readily secured or attachedto the playing field surface by merely pressing or exerting a downwardforce at the junction of the base member projection and invertedcupshaped portion 26 to cause the inverted cupshaped portion 26 toassume a generally flattened shape in the fashion ofa conventionalsuction cup. Thereafter, upon release of such downward force, the rod 13and target attached thereto will be supported in a generally uprightposition. It will be noted that each target bears a respective numeralfrom 1 to 5 on its exposed or outer face. The numeral may be embossed,painted or placed thereon in any suitable manner. Preferably, thetargets 12 in the front row, which require the least skill by the playerto strike with a projectile l1, bear the numerals 1, 2 and 3,respectively, with the more difficult targets 12 to hit in the back rowbearing the numerals 4 and 5, respectively. It is to be understood thatthe numeral on each target 12 corresponds to the number of game points aplayer receives if such target 12 is hit by a projectile 11 thrown byhim during his turn at play.

Once the target assemblies 10 are arranged in the aforesaid manner, thegame is played by having the players stand 10 to 12 feet from the frontrow of targets 12. The players attempt to strike as many of the targets12 as possible with each toss of a projectile 11 and, obviously, it isdesirable to hit those targets 12 bearing the highest numerals thereonso as to achieve as high a score as possible with each toss of theprojectile 11. The projectiles 11 must first strike the playing fieldsurface at some point before the front row of targets 12 and then bounceinto the targets 12 to strike the same in order to accumulate gamepoints. Each player has an opportunity or turn to toss all three of theprojectiles 11 and his final score is established by totaling the pointvalue of the targets 12 struck during his turn at play. The player withthe highest point value score is the game winner.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that a highly entertainingamusement game, involving some degree of skill to play, has beendescribed. The game may be readily played either indoors or outdoors anddoes not require any special or particular playing area to play thegame.

The embodiment of the invention chosen for the purposes of descriptionand illustration herein is that preferred for achieving the objects ofthe invention and developing the utility thereof in the most desirablemanner, due regard being had to existing factors of economy, simplicityof design and construction, production methods, and the improvementssought to be effected. It will be appreciated, therefore, that theparticular structure and functional aspects emphasized herein are notintended to exclude, but rather to suggest, such other modifications andadaptations of the invention as fall within the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Game apparatus for playing a modified bowling game of the kindwherein projectiles are manually tossed and directed toward a pluralityof targets arranged in a predetermined pattern on a substantially flatand smooth playing field area surface from a position horizontallyspaced from the targets in an attempt to strike the same, comprising, aprojectile; and a plurality of target assemblies, each of said targetassemblies including a target having a configuration substantiallyresembling one vertical half of a bowling pin, said target being made ofrelatively lightweight non-metallic material, and means for supportingsaid target on said playing field area surface in a generally uprightposition vertically spaced above said playing area surface ineluding anelongated. slender rod having a relatively long end section extendingfrom one end of the rod and a relatively short end section extendingfrom the opposite end of the rod, means for attaching said target tosaid relatively long end section of said rod, and an enlarged basemember connected to said relatively short end section of said rod, saidbase member being detachably connectible to said playing field areasurface solely by vacuum.

2. Game apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said rod includes ahelically-wound section intermediate and connected to said long andshort end sections of said rod. said helically-wound section permittingsaid long and short end sections to flex angularly with respect to eachother.

3. Game apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said projectile ismade of elastomer material and the outer surface of said projectile isin the form of ten plane faces, two of said plane faces being spaced andparallel with respect to each other and substantially square in shape,and the other eight plane faces being substantially in the shape ofisosceles trapesoids.

4. Game apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said base member ismade of elastomer material and includes a generally cylindricalprojection provided with a recess therein, said short end section havingan end portion inserted into said recess and frictionally held thereinby the wall surface of said projection partially defining said recess.

5. Game apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said base memberincludes a generally inverted cupshaped portion, said projection beingintegrally formed therewith, said cup-shaped portion being defined by arelatively thin wall, said thin wall being resilient and deformable soas to be capable of assuming a substantially flat configuration on saidplaying field area surface in the manner of a suction cup.

6. Game apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein each of said targetsbears a particular indicia in the form of a numeral on its exposedsurface.

1. Game apparatus for playing a modified bowling game of the kindwherein projectiles are manually tossed and directed toward a pluralityof targets arranged in a predetermined pattern on a substantially flatand smooth playing field area surface from a position horizontallyspaced from the targets in an attempt to strike the same, comprising, aprojectile; and a plurality of target assemblies, each of said targetassemblies including a target having a configuration substantiallyresembling one vertical half of a bowling pin, said target being made ofrelatively lightweight non-metallic material, and means for supportingsaid target on said playing field area surface in a generally uprightposition vertically spaced above said playing area surface including anelongated, slender rod having a relatively long end section extendingfrom one end of the rod and a relatively short end section extendingfrom the opposite end of the rod, means for attaching said target tosaid relatively long end section of said rod, and an enlarged basemember connected to said relatively short end section of said rod, saidbase member being detachably connectible to said playing field areasurface solely by vacuum.
 1. Game apparatus for playing a modifiedbowling game of the kind wherein projectiles are manually tossed anddirected toward a plurality of targets arranged in a predeterminedpattern on a substantially flat and smooth playing field area surfacefrom a position horizontally spaced from the targets in an attempt tostrike the same, comprising, a projectile; and a plurality of targetassemblies, each of said target assemblies including a target having aconfiguration substantially resembling one vertical half of a bowlingpin, said target being made of relatively lightweight non-metallicmaterial, and means for supporting said target on said playing fieldarea surface in a generally upright position vertically spaced abovesaid playing area surface including an elongated, slender rod having arelatively long end section extending from one end of the rod and arelatively short end section extending from the opposite end of the rod,means for attaching said target to said relatively long end section ofsaid rod, and an enlarged base member connected to said relatively shortend section of said rod, said base member being detachably connectibleto said playing field area surface solely by vacuum.
 2. Game apparatusas set forth in claim 1, wherein said rod includes a helically-woundsection intermediate and connected to said long and short end sectionsof said rod, said helically-wound section permitting said long and shortend sections to flex angularly with respect to each other.
 3. Gameapparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said projectile is made ofelastomer material and the outer surface of said projectile is in theform of ten plane faces, two of said plane faces being spaced andparallel with respect to each other and substantially square in shape,and the other eight plane faces being substantially in the shape ofisosceles trapesoids.
 4. Game apparatus as set forth in claim 3, whereinsaid base member is made of elastomer material and includes a generallycylindrical projection provided with a recess therein, said short endsection having an end portion inserted into said recess and frictionallyheld therein by the wall surface of said projection partially definingsaid recess.
 5. Game apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein saidbase member includes a generally inverted cup-shaped portion, saidprojection being integrally formed therewith, said cup-shaped portionbeing defined by a relatively thin wall, said thin wall being resilientand deformable so as to be capable of assuming a substantially flatconfiguration on said playing field area surface in the manner of asuction cup.